Pressure-Induced Stable Li₅P for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Black phosphorus, the result of white P under high pressure, has received much attention as a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the final product of lithiation, <i>P</i>6₃/<i>mmc</i> Li₃P, is not satisfactory due to its poor conductivity. In this article we explore the high-pressure phase diagram of the Li–P system through first-principles swarm-intelligence structural search and present two hitherto unknown stable Li-rich compounds, <i>Fm</i>-3<i>m</i> Li₃P at 4.2 GPa and <i>P</i>6/<i>mmm</i> Li₅P at 10.3 GPa. Metallic Li₅P exhibits interesting structural features, including graphene-like Li layers and P-centered octadecahedrons, where P is 14-fold coordinated with Li. Interestingly, both compounds exhibit good dynamical and thermal stability properties at ambient pressure, and the theoretical capacity of <i>P</i>6/<i>mmm</i> Li₅P reaches 4326 mAhg^–1, the highest among the already known Li–P compounds. Additionally, their mechanical properties are also favorable for electrode materials. Our work represents a significant step toward the performance improvement of Li–P batteries and understanding Li–P compounds

TiC₃ Monolayer with High Specific Capacity for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted considerable attention due to the intrinsic safety and high abundance of sodium. However, the lack of high-performance anode materials becomes a main obstacle for the development of SIBs. Here, we identify an ideal anode material, a metallic TiC₃ monolayer with not only remarkably high storage capacity of 1278 mA h g^–1 but also low barrier energy and open-circuit voltage, through first-principles swarm-intelligence structure calculations. TiC₃ still keeps metallic after adsorbing two-layer Na atoms, ensuring good electrical conductivity during the battery cycle. Besides, high melting point and superior dynamical stability are in favor of practical application. Its excellent performance can be mainly attributed to the presence of an unusual <i>n</i>-biphenyl unit in the TiC₃ monolayer. High cohesive energy, originating from multibonding coexistence (e.g., covalent, ionic, and metal bonds) in the TiC₃ monolayer, provides strong feasibility for experimental synthesis. In comparison with TiC₃, functionalized TiC₃ with oxygen shows a higher storage capacity; meanwhile, it keeps nearly the same barrier energy. This is in sharp contrast with metal-rich MXenes. These intriguing properties make the TiC₃ monolayer a promising anode material for SIBs

A Novel Peptide from Soybean Protein Isolate Significantly Enhances Resistance of the Organism under Oxidative Stress

<div><p>Recent studies have indicated that protein hydrolysates have broad biological effects. In the current study we describe a novel antioxidative peptide, FDPAL, from soybean protein isolate (SPI). The aim of this study was to purify and characterize an antioxidative peptide from SPI and determine its antioxidative mechanism. LC–MS/MS was used to isolate and identify the peptide from SPI. The sequence of the peptide was determined to be Phe-Asp-Pro-Ala-Leu (FDPAL, 561 Da). FDPAL can cause significant enhancement of resistance to oxidative stress both in cells as well as simple organisms. In <i>Caenorhabditis elegans (C</i>. <i>elegans)</i>, FDPAL can up-regulate the expression of certain genes associated with resistance. The antioxidant activity of this peptide can be attributed to the presence of a specific amino acid sequence. Results from our work suggest that FDPAL can facilitate potential applications of proteins carrying this sequence in the nutraceutical, bioactive material and clinical medicine areas, as well as in cosmetics and health care products.</p></div

Antioxidant effect of FDPAL <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. Vc group was treated as control.

<p>(A) FDPAL dramatically scavenged the hydroxyl free radical generated by Fenton’s reaction; n = 5 in each group. (B) FDPAL effectively scavenged the free radicals generated by pyrogallol self-oxidation; n = 5 in each group. (C) HeLa cell viability under oxidative stress with or without FDPAL. Significance of difference versus control group at ####p < 0.0001. Significance of differences versus 0 mM FDPAL group at *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001; n = 5 in each group. (D) FDPAL improves the stress resistance of <i>C</i>. <i>elegans</i> under oxidative stress. Survival curves are presented based on three individual experiments.</p

Purification and identification of FDPAL from Soybean Protein Isolate extraction.

<p>(A) Separation of antioxidant peptides from SPI by using Sephadex A-25. Elutions were performed with 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 9.0) and a linear gradient of 0–5 M NaCl at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min for 8 h. (B) Separation of fraction 2 in (A) by Sephadex G-10. Elutions were performed with distilled water at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min for 4 h. (C) TIC spectrum of active fraction I from (B) measured by LC-MS/MS. (D) TOF-MS spectrum of FDPAL.</p

Synthesis of functionalized 4H-Chromenes catalyzed by lipase immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles

<p>In the work, <i>mucor miehei</i> lipase (MML) was covalently immobilized on the 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine (TCT)-modified magnetite nanoparticles. Then, the immobilized MML was utilized in the synthesis of functionalized 4H-Chromenes via a multicomponent reaction firstly. Under the optimized reaction conditions, immobilized MML displayed high catalytic performance (Yield: 81–96%) and excellent reusability, indicating a high potential for practical operation.</p

Identification of molecular mass and amino acid sequence of FDPAL.

<p>MS/MS experiments were performed on AB SCIEX TripleTOF™ 5600 mass spectrometer. The sequence of FDPAL was determined manually.</p

FDPAL up-regulates SOD-3::GFP expression in transgenic <i>C</i>. <i>elegans</i> CF1553.

<p>(A) Quantified GFP intensity (±SE) in CF1553 from three individual experiments with 50 worms per treatment (****p < 0.0001). (B) SOD-3::GFP expression in control worms and 10 mM FDPAL-treated worms. The SOD-3::GFP expression in FDPAL treated worms is higher than that in control worms.</p

FDPAL can significantly reduce lipofuscin content in worms.

<p>(A) Lipofuscin fluorescence was measured by Image J, 30 worms were tested in each group. (B) Lipofuscin fluorescence in worms.</p